My Sister's Keeper

Director Nick Cassavetes, who made millions cry with The Notebook, should generate his fair share of tears with this well-meaning movie about a young girl (an excellent Sofia Vassilieva) dying from cancer. Her parents (Cameron Diaz and Jason Patric) “engineered” another daughter (Abigail Breslin) to provide blood and body parts for their oldest daughter. The younger daughter hits a point where she has had enough, and sues her parents (with the help of a lawyer played by Alec Baldwin) for medical emancipation. Yes, the premise is a little out of hand, but Cassavetes and the actors perform admirably, earning a few tears and giving folks like Vassilieva and Patric a place to shine. It’s especially nice to see Patric in a good, grounded role for a change, because the guy can act.